Study Looks at The Impact of Marijuana for Fibromyalgia Symptoms

A new study, conducted by Dr. Mary-Ann Fitzcharles from the Montreal General Hospital of the McGill University Health Centre in Montreal, Canada, examined the relationship between medical marijuana and the alleviation of fibromyalgia symptoms. According to the study, approximately 10% of patients suffering from fibromyalgia use medical marijuana to ease their symptoms.

Fibromyalgia is a chronic illness with symptoms including pain, headaches, fatigue, and problems sleeping. The illness is more common among young women, but only affects 3% of the population.

Along with her colleagues, Fitzcharles surveyed 302 patients with fibromyalgia and 155 patients who suffered from other forms of chronic pain. Of those who participated, 13% were given cannabinoids to treat their symptoms and 80% were given marijuana.

72% of the patients who used marijuana reported using one gram or less per day to alleviate their symptoms. The marijuana smokers were found to have suffered adverse side effects as well, including mental illness, unemployment, and desire to use opioid painkillers.

Fitzcharles explained, “While self-medicating with cannabinoids may provide some pain relief to fibromyalgia patients, we caution against general use of illicit drugs until health and psychosocial issue risks are confirmed.”

This really doesnt make any sense, I am very confused what side of the argument this is supposed to be showing. So 72% of patients agreed that less than 1g per day handled their symptoms showing that this clearly works. Spouting off about mental illness and opiate use in the same article when dealing with fibro patients not the traditional medical user its downright disrespectful. suggesting that my Mom who suffers from fibro is going to have employment problems and go on an opiate binge if she uses medical marijuana is absurd. I think we need to start separating medical findings from personal opinion. If fibro can be helped by medical marijuana excellent, than start another study looking at the possible adverse effects. On a final note most people with fibro use opiates already and replacing them would cause withdrawal, saying that people who were on opiates have a desire to use them once they are off them just proves the addictive effects of the opiates not an adverse effect of marijuana.

Dleafsmoke — There's no personal opinion being shared, it's what the study found. 72% of the people that were included in the study were given medical marijuana to use. The study found that the medical marijuana relieved symptoms but also led to those effects in the lives of those who were in the study. The study's not saying that EVERY woman/person who has fibromyalgia will face unemployment, painkiller addiction, etc., but it's what they observed in these instances.

Dleafsmoke is right if these people were just given medical marijuana for a study then that means they were most likely not using it before the study. Meaning they have to use something to alleviate there symptoms before the study you don't just get diagnosed with something and not get pills you always get pills when your diagnosed with something like this. This is a terrible study besides the part that says MMJ does help the symptoms. Thats like giving a person with a broken back MMJ after they have used opiates for the past 2 years they are full blown opiate addicts whether they want to admit it or not. Once your on opiates for a few months you can't get off them without going through withdrawal and MMJ does not help with withdrawal so they will most likely say they would rather have there opiates since they are going through opiates at the time even after smoking MMJ. Like I said terrible study.

receptionist: hello, so youre here for your daily dose?
patient: yep, thanks.
receptionist: so, hows it goin?
patient: well, i lost my job cause i stole my coworkers oxy she had leftover from the car accident she was in that i inadvertently caused while acting like a jellyfish in the parking lot at work a few months ago. but other than that…
receptionist: let me just put that here in your file.